when setting up a new aquarium, one of the primary concerns of the aquarist
is that of balance. a balanced tank is essential to the success of a new
aquarium. balance in oxygen content, waste removal, and plant life is
important, of course, but the choice of the main types of fish can be used to
achieve a balanced aquarium.
the first type of fish is the community type. community fish are, as their name
implies, non-aggressive. many fish in this group are vegetarians and can be trusted
not to eat other fish in the tank, but even those fish that are carnivorous
will be compatible with their brothers if they are properly fed. mollies,
swordtails, and angelfish are examples of community fish that can be safely
kept in one tank.
the second type that will meet the requirement of balance is the rough-fish
type. it is true that rough fish tend to be territorial. they mark off an area
in the tank that is theirs, and they will not tolerate any intruders. these
fish are aggressive to the point of killing any fish unable to defend itself.
firemouths, convicts, and silver dollars are members of the rough fish type
that can be kept in one tank if they are provided with seperate territories.
the third type, perhaps the most essential to a balanced tank , is the
scavenger type. scavengers are a "universal" fish and yet independent
enough to be kept with rough fish. the scavenger's ability to live with all
types of fish is important because it the housekeeper of the aquarium. it's
eating eating habit is essential to to the balanced tank because it prevents
excess food from fouling the water. the corydoras, the algae-eater, and the
banjo catfish are all excellent scavengers and compatible in any tank.
a thorough knowledge of the three fish types and the fish that make up each
type will save the novice aquarist many headaches later on. by carefully
selecting compatible fish, the aquarist will achieve balance in his aquarium
and assure himself of a successful tank.